Frustraited to Tears!

March 23, 2014 is the 25th annual Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon at White Sands Missile Range, NM. 

I don't have an income right now.  Chris has work in NM.  So he made arrangements to do some work that needs to be done in NM.  He worked around the dates I gave him, March 29, 2014.  Now that arraignments are made I realize what I have done!  Its too late, he can't go back to his clients to change the dates.  We don't have the money for me to go it alone. 

I'm asking around to see if anyone is driving though AR, or anyone from AR (in the running family of course) is going, so I can hitch a ride, help defer gas and hotel costs.  So the door isn't completely closed yet, but its most likely a no go..... until the next week when Chris has his work scheduled. 

I don't understand how I made this mistake.  Oh my am I feeling foolish! and very disappointed. 

EPIC! Little Rock Marathon 2014

Arriving at Fike's Bikes at 5AM to be on time for the early start, this is the view that greeted me.  Its very peaceful at 5AM.

I'm going to write this race report using the format discussed in With Winning In Mind by Lanny Bassham. 
Ask: What was the best parts of your race?
         What did you learn?
         What are you going to do about it?

I'm a member of Team Red White & Blue
Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity

The evening before the race we had a meet and greet with Team RWB members from across the country at a Little Rock pizza joint.  During this gathering we talked about who was going to carry a flag while running and the impact we could have by  doing so. 
Upon returning home I decided that I would carry Old Glory for 26.2.  26.2 is very hard in and of itself, doing it in the wet, cold, rain, wind with a flag would be a new challenge. 
I read Blayne Smith - A Soldier, In Parts to prepare myself mentally for the challenge.  My marathon challenge may be hard, but what our warriors go through redefines "hard". 

That is my flag from the USS Richard B Russell (SSN 687) and the flag pole is the extra Eagle Scout walking stick from and signed by an Eagle Scout, our son Daniel, who is now a CTN3, US Navy. - Chris Gunnoe

Dinner at Damgoode Pies in Little Rock, Team RWB from across the country

The Best Parts of The Race:

Carrying the flag:  Talk about the support.  People were very supportive, cheering, both runners and spectators.  A few runners asked if they could have a turn carrying the flag, of course I was happy to let them.  Every part of me seemed extra sore from the effort, but no regrets about carrying the flag for 26.2

We were told the race was cancelled at about mile 22-23.  We were told we could continue on at our own risk, due to extreme weather.  I continued on to cross the finish line.  It was my slowest marathon ever, but I don't think I have ever worked harder.

I can finish 26.2 when my stomach is in full on revolt!  I had a few chips, 3 tater tots, orange wedges, everything else upset my tummy bad.

Epic weather makes for epic stories!

What I learned:

I have been maintaining some semblance of training and mileage, but not enough of it has been actually running.  Walking miles don't do me much good - run more.

Asthma management needs some tweaking.  It was not fun.  For 26.2 I could never catch my breath.  Every breath was a struggle.

Having a reason to be running gives meaning to the suffering and strength to the mind to keep going.
Never used stuff I haven't trained with!!!  I was concerned about having enough calories for the migration so I strapped on a fanny pack.  I have used it before for many races, but I haven't used it or trained with it lately. 

What I'm going to do about it:

Run more, stop with the walking crap.

I am making a doctor's appointment today.  I'm starting training with a Power Lung.

Keep doing what I'm doing.  I will read warrior's stories before a race, to keep the new definition of "hard" in mind.  My marathon isn't hard compared to what they go through.  

Train with it just in case I might decide to use it.

Slowest but most EPIC! 26.2 ever!

It was very grand having Team RWB members from across the country here for the Little Rock Marathon.  Its regrettable that the weather kept people from sticking around after the marathon and visiting/cheering.  All were concerned about getting warmed back up!  I'm very much looking forward to my next big event Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon   It will be a major event for Team RWB. 

Sylamore Trail 50.... er 25K

The night before, Friday Feb 14 2014, reports started hitting FaceBook about the condition of the trail.  Fields and pastures were still covered with snow from the recent, or winter long deep freeze with which AR has been blessed.

We were told during the pre-race brief that due to trail conditions we would have the option of turning around at the 25K turn around point, doing the 25K and still getting an official finish instead of a 50K DNF.  I had been very stressed about the idea of a 50K because of my winter of improper training, so this was welcome news.  

The course starts at The Angler Cafe/gas station in Allison, AR.  We run a mile on pavement, then cross the Sylamore Creek to get to the single track trail.  With the trail conditions as they were there was a very long line of people waiting to get on the trail. 

 

 

Creek Crossing, water level was low this year.

 

The trail was slippery, sloppy and ice covered.  Many of the places along the path there was a traffic jam because the ice was challenging to navigate.

One of many challenging sections of the trail.

 After getting past the slickest, most icy spots I thought I could go on and do the 50K.  That thinking changed after passing the aid station at Blanchard Springs.  After climbing the trail out of Blanchard Springs the trail was snow covered.  That is no problem if one is out there alone.   I have run it many times snowy.  But with hundreds of people on the trail it gets all churned up.  With every step forward there is slippage back, kind of like running on sand.  The snow was slick off the trail so when we would move over to let people pass there was a risk of falling.
With all of this I was very happy to listen to wisdom of those more experienced to turn around at the 25K turn around.  

Almost done with the race, please don't fall!

The sun came out, things warmed up and the frozen parts of the trail became muddy, suck your shoes off muddy.  The mud seemed to be just as slippery as the ice.  

Finish line, slowest 25K ever, but an epic adventure!

This race was an epic adventure.  I was very happy to see the finish line though.  Wow, this 25K was a grinder, two days later I feel like I did do a 50K. 

Its 12 days from the Little Rock Marathon.  I'm not ready, but will choose to enjoy the experience.

not doing

runner not running

blogger not blogging

cook not cooking

photographer not photographing

hurting and not praying

Its time to build a routine, just start doing.  Let autopilot run till my heart gets back into it.

Counting blessings:
Just visited with Kim and Daniel & Samantha, it was a grand time.  I love my children.  My heart hurts for Kevin.

My running family is solid, they are the greatest.  They give me a sense of family and belonging.

I can move, I can run, I can smile, I can enjoy the sunshine.

My husband comes home at night.

Time to focus on the blessings

Bartlett Park Ultras, my 1st and 20th ultra

2009 - 9:36.26
2010 - 9:36.44
2011 - 8:34.41
2012 - 8:39.50
2013 - Who the hell knows, haven't been training right.  A year long funk has kicked my butt.  Average mileage has never been less.  I know the distance can be traveled, its just doing it in anything resembling a decent time for me.  We will see.  This is a reverse taper for next week's marathon in Ohio.

2013 - 8:28.56 PR on this course! How did that happen?
The gingerbread man run with me for the first 23 miles (google it)
BAD! breathing day.
Super lack of training.
The weather was absolutely perfect and such a treat after the last month of brutal hell.


Undulations and roots are the fare of the day on this trail.  There aren't many rocks and the trail is very runnable.  There is one small loop, then 4 sevenish mile loops. 
If one wants to consider a trail 50K this is an amazing race to consider.  The RD Mike Samuelson is fabulous at putting together a perfect party. 
Even though this race falls in during a time of year that it can be HOT, this race won't run out of water nor ice!  The food is first rate.  The volunteers are the very best, and the atmosphere has that amazing, easy to love, friendly trail vibe.  One of the very best part of trail running is the camp chair and the giving folks who fill them during the race.  Many runners, when they are done, stay and cheer everyone in.  It was so grand to have my trail friends helping me and cheering me in.  WOW! 
Nicholas Norfolk was out there again with his camera.  I'm sure we will see some super photos and a great write up in Arkansas Outside. 

What a great day. 

Mt Nebo Trail Run - My non-experience

2:30 AM the alarm goes off

3:00 AM out the door

5:00 AM arrived in Russellville
Turn around and drive back home not even going to Mt Nebo.

7:00 AM Arrived back at home and went to bed

Spend the rest of the day in bed

Just not feeling it.  Don't know if it is mental or this damn headache.

Of Being Shattered By The Mountain and Hitch Hiking

El Vaquero Loco 50K
Aug 10, 2013

Total Ascent: 7,308
Total Decent: 7,931

The plan:
-Manage every step of the race.  Judsonia is at an elevation of 213 ft above sea level.  This race goes from 7,000 - 10,000 ft.  I knew this would be a problem, but thinking if the downhills and flats were perfectly managed maybe the climbs could be handled.
-Hydration:  double all amounts usually consumed at this altitude keeping the brand used on the course in my hydration pack.
-Fueling: mostly rely on the EFS in the hydration pack, supplement with Epic Bars, Jelly Belly Sports Beans, and Gu.

Reality:
When man (or woman) makes plans God laughs.

I was SCHOOLED by the mountain! 

 By the time I got to the top of the first big climb, knowing a 22 minute mile pace was needed to get to the turn around in time, I knew
this wasn't happening.  My big girl move was to keep going on to the turn around instead of just turn around and go back to the start. 

A painful realization at mile 3.63

The climbs were killer.  I would have to hike 10 steps rest, hike 20 steps, rest, hike 30 steps, rest, depending on the climb. 
Much mental struggle went into picking an attitude here.  During those breaks I would look for something beautiful (not hard out there) and take a picture.  This helped my mind keep from going to negative places.  I decided being shattered mentally by not finishing this wasn't worth the effort.  It would be like being upset that I will never qualify for the Olympic Trials Marathon.  I gave it everything.  The mountain just schooled me, that is all.  It wasn't a lack of will or a lack of try, it was a lack of air!  
The race had a 6 hour cut off to get to the turn around.  It took me 8 hours! 
The hitch hiking....... a runner told the turn around people she was the last runner.  They waited 1/2 hour and then packed it up and went home.  I didn't have a way out of the turn around.  Fortunately it is a popular hiking spot and I, at 47, hitched my first ride.  Thank you to the kind family who loaned me the back of your pick up truck to get me out of there.
This problem hasn't happened in the past.  The RD has been addressed about this issue and it will be taken care of to prevent it from happening again.

This race had three aid stations.  The first and the last aid station had supplies brought in by pack horse.  The supplies for the second aid station were brought in by backpack.  This race is very demanding of its volunteers.  They have to love being "out there".

Aid station #3 on the outbound

the other volunteers

My brother was here to run the race.  Rich didn't have the race of his plans either, but still had a grand finish! 

Rich crossing the finish line

Ty, the RD, greeted every runner as they crossed the finish line. Rich, Diana & Ty

Pre-race, So loved seeing ARies in Wyoming, Brad & Dulcinea

Will I be back?  How does one train for 10,000 ft when they live at 213 feet?  I don't have the option of spending weeks out there.  So..... work my butt off, be in the best shape of my life and go back for the 25K, getting an official finish.

The course was very well marked.  Every aid station was perfect with plenty of aid and helpful volunteers.  No fear of running out of water on a hot day either.  I'm confident the one issue, though a big one, will be addressed, so I would highly recommend this race so the altitude can shatter you too!! 

Happy Running!